It’s cold, it’s grey outside and it’s really starting to feel like winter. What better time is there to snuggle up on the couch and get stuck into an engrossing book. Here are Black Inc.’s top reads for the chilly season.

The shortlist for this year’s Miles Franklin Award has been announced, and Their Brilliant Careers by Ryan O’Neill is one of the five titles on it. Read the judge's glowing comments below.

In this eloquent and informative book, historian Klaus Neumann examines both government policy and public attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers since Federation. Read Arnold Zable's introduction to this important book online now.

The full program for the Byron Bay Writers Festival has been annouced! Here are some of our picks for the festival.

Black Inc. mourns the passing of Baba Schwartz, who died peacefully last week at age 89, surrounded by her loving family.

“I have never walked out of the race for the start of a game thinking that victory wasn’t possible.” —Scott Pendlebury

Read Scott Pendlebury's introduction to Champions of Collingwood

Read an extract from Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment by Jenny Valentish

Mother's Day is fast approaching! Here's what we are planning on giving our Mums this year.

Peter Costello launched the new book China Matters by Bates Gill and Linda Jakobson at the Stare Library of Victoria on March 30th. Read his launch speech in full now.

The Sydney Writers Festival launched their 2017 program today! Don't miss events with Stan Grant, David Hunt, Ryan O'Neill, Brigid Delaney, Tom Griffiths, David Marr, Jenny Valentish, George Megalogenis, Anita Heiss, Annabel Crabb and Benjamin Law. Check out some of our highlights below.